Amos 3 – “God’s Warning”

Hebrew-English TextI. Summary
Having warned the Northern Israelites to desist from sinning, Yahweh promises to send an enemy into their land.

II. Photo
A metaphor about God’s message: “Does a young lion roar from its den without having made a capture?” (v. 4b)

III. Important Verses
1-2: Hear this word, O people of Israel, That the LORD has spoken concerning you, Concerning the whole family that I brought up from the land of Egypt: You alone have I singled out Of all the families of the earth — That is why I will call you to account For all your iniquities.
9-10: Proclaim in the fortresses of Ashdod And in the fortresses of the land of Egypt! Say: Gather on the hill of Samaria And witness the great outrages within her And the oppression in her midst. They are incapable of doing right — declares the LORD; They store up lawlessness and rapine In their fortresses.
11: Assuredly, Thus said my Lord GOD: An enemy, all about the land! He shall strip you of your splendor, And your fortresses shall be plundered.
14: That when I punish Israel for its transgressions, I will wreak judgment on the altar of Bethel, And the horns of the altar shall be cut off And shall fall to the ground.
15: I will wreck the winter palace Together with the summer palace; The ivory palaces shall be demolished, And the great houses shall be destroyed — declares the LORD.

IV. Outline
1-2. God pays special attention to Northern Israel’s sins
3-8. Metaphors about God’s warnings
9-10. Proclamations about Northern Israel
11-12. God will send a hostile enemy into the land
13-15. Doom for the altar and palaces

V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Photo taken from http://xianrenaud.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/09/27/istock_000002921745small.jpg